Ludlow railway station upgrade in the pipeline
Campaigners are celebrating after it was revealed Ludlow's railway station has secured thousands of pounds to improve accessibility.
Currently people using wheelchairs, pushchairs or who have mobility problems find it tricky to use the railway station.
But the Department for Transport has announced that it will be included in a scheme of works under its Access for All programme.
In total 73 stations nationwide are set to benefit from up to £300m. All work is due to be completed by the end of March 2024.
Wellington's railway station is another that will benefit.
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, coordinated the campaign to help receive funding through the Access for All scheme, to improve facilities at the station.
The scheme will see the installation of accessible, step-free routes at railway stations, in addition to access improvements the rail sector is required to deliver.
He was spurred to action following concerns raised by residents and visitors to Ludlow suffering from poor access to and from the ticket hall on the northbound platform to the southbound platform at the station.
Figures from the Office of Rail and Road had shown Ludlow is the busiest station between Hereford and Shrewsbury, yet suffered from poor disability access and no lift.
Mr Dunne said: “I am delighted Ludlow has been successful in the Access for All programme, and will benefit from funds to improve disability access.
"I met Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani on several occasions to press home Ludlow’s case for inclusion in this scheme, as I had been contacted by both local residents and visitors to our town concerned about poor access between platforms for those with mobility issues.
"I am grateful to Shropshire Access Group, Ludlow Rail Users, Marches Rail Users Alliance, Ludlow’s mayor, and Shropshire Council and councillors who supported my campaign.”
Ludlow station manager Samantha Edgerton said: “It’s fantastic news that Ludlow has been selected for Access for All investment and both myself and all my staff are delighted.
“This will make a real difference for customers here as we look to build a railway that is accessible to everyone.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the community who called for this investment and our partners in Network Rail, who will be delivering the scheme going forward.”
